The new study will update and expand on those findings and will bring target shooting sports such as clay pigeon and rifle target shooting into the equation. It will also quantify the social benefits of shooting.

BASC, one of the 17 organisations whose members will be polled to provide the new survey data, urged its members to take the time to respond, should they be contacted.

Chief executive Richard Ali said: “The value of this study for the future of shooting is immense. It will be independent and scientifically valid.